Position Summary

The Human Resources Manager serves as the primary onsite HR leader for Teton Science Schools (TSS), providing comprehensive support across our Early Childhood–8 school,, Professional Learning, field education programs, and wildlife expeditions in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.

The role is a trusted partner to employees and managers, offering hands-on HR guidance while collaborating with Helpside PEO for advanced employment law, compliance, and benefits support. The HR Manager ensures smooth and accurate payroll and benefits administration, oversees employee housing coordination, and serves as the internal resource for the TSS 403(b) retirement savings plan.

The position brings a strong understanding of HR best practices in school and outdoor education settings, supporting safe, well-staffed programs through thoughtful systems, training alignment, and documentation. The HR Manager also plays an important leadership role in strengthening organizational culture, fostering trust, connection, and alignment with the TSS mission of place-based learning and outdoor education.

Key Responsibilities

1. HR Support Across Early Childhood–8, Professional Learning, Field Education & Wildlife Expeditions

• Serve as the primary HR escalation point for:
  
  

  • Early Childhood–8 teachers and staff

  • Professional Learning Coaches
    
    

  • Field education instructors and seasonal educators
    
    

  • Wildlife Expeditions guides and naturalists
    
    

• Address issues relating to staff–parent communication, student needs, safety concerns, team dynamics, and program execution.
  
  

• Coordinate HR support for staff working in varied environments, from classrooms to wilderness settings.
  
  

• Ensure staff working with children meet requirements for certifications, training, background checks, and mandatory reporting.
  
  

2. Risk Management Partnership (Children, Outdoors, Guiding)

• Collaborate closely with the TSS Risk Management function to align HR practices with safety expectations for:
  
  

  • Youth education programs
    
    

  • Early childhood environments
    
    

  • Field education experiences
    
    

  • Vehicle-based wildlife expeditions
    
    

  • Backcountry or park-based operations
    
    

• Build HR systems that reduce risk exposures through staffing consistency, compliance tracking, and clear communication.
  
  

3. PEO Partnership (Helpside)

• Coordinate with Helpside for complex HR matters including compensation guidance, employment law interpretation, disciplinary actions, and compliance.
  
  

• Ensure consistent application of policies across all campuses and program environments.
  
  

• Manage escalated employee relations cases alongside Helpside and TSS leadership.
  
  

4. Payroll & Benefits Administration

• Oversee payroll processes by partnering with Helpside and the Finance team.
  
  

• Provide hands-on support for benefit inquiries, claims issues, life changes, and onboarding.
  
  

• Lead open enrollment support and ensure robust benefits education for staff.
  
  

5. Employee Housing Management

• Oversee housing intake, assignments, scheduling, and transitions for teachers, ECD staff, field instructors, and expedition guides.
  
  

• Maintain and communicate a transparent, equitable housing framework aligned with TSS values and local mountain-town realities.
  
  

• Track housing inventory, maintenance needs, and long-range planning considerations.
  
  

6. 403(b) Plan Subject-Matter Expertise

• Serve as the internal SME for the TSS 403(b), providing enrollment guidance, education, and communication.
  
  

• Coordinate plan updates, audits, compliance, and reporting.
  
  

7. Culture Rebuilding & Organizational Cohesion

• Model and promote a culture of trust, consistency, transparency, and collaboration.
  
  

• Rebuild and strengthen cross-campus communication and morale.
  
  

• Support onboarding and staff development grounded in the principles of place-based education.
  
  

• Lead staff engagement programs, recognition, climate surveys, and feedback loops.
  
  

8. Core HR Operations & Compliance

• Lead onboarding, offboarding, and seasonal workforce transitions across all program areas.
  
  

• Maintain accurate HR documentation and compliance for Wyoming and Idaho.
  
  

• Support workers’ compensation casework and follow-up.
  
  

• Manage HR policies, handbooks, and communication, ensuring alignment with Helpside recommendations and TSS operational needs.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Education Administration, Organizational Development, or related field.
  
  

• 5 years of HR experience, including direct work in a school setting (K–8 or Early Childhood).
  
  

• Experience with risk management in environments serving children and/or outdoor programs.
  
  

• HR experience in a nonprofit organization.
  
  

• Strong employee relations capabilities, conflict resolution skills, and ability to manage escalations.
  
  

• Experience supporting staff in dynamic environments such as field education, guiding, outdoor programs, or multi-location organizations.
  
  

• Ability to be physically present daily across campuses and program areas.
  
  

• Excellent communication, judgment, and interpersonal skills.
  
  

• Demonstrated commitment to the outdoors, community, and the mission of place-based education.
  
  

Preferred

• HR certifications: SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR.
  
  

• Experience with a PEO model (Helpside preferred).
  
  

• Risk Management or Outdoor Program Administration experience (e.g., guiding, field science, experiential learning).
  
  

• Experience managing employee housing in mountain communities.
  
  

• Familiarity with national park permitting, wildlife guiding standards, or vehicle-based tourism operations.
  
  

Competencies & Attributes

• Mission-Driven: Committed to outdoor learning, environmental stewardship, and place-based education.
  
  

• Risk-Aware: Understands safety, compliance, and youth-protection standards in both school and field environments.
  
  

• Approachable & Visible: Builds trust and rapport through daily presence.
  
  

• Equity-Focused: Ensures fair processes in HR, especially around housing and staffing.
  
  

• Calm Under Pressure: Skilled at navigating sensitive or urgent situations with professionalism.
  
  

• Cross-Program Thinking: Works effectively with K–8, ECD, Field Ed, and Expeditions stakeholders.